Bea was born December 17, 1918 in the city of Chenault in Breckenridge County, KY, she was the eldest child of William R. Barr and Emma Lillian (Manning) Barr. She married Arvil L. Becht on January 22, 1935, moved to Dearborn, Michigan during the Depression and in September of 1946 returned to Floyd Knobs.
She received a diploma from New Albany Beauty College in June of 1959, and was a retired owner/operator of Bea's Beauty Shoppe for 33 years on Scottsville Road in Floyds Knobs. Bea was a member of St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church, where she was the first president of St. Mary of the Knobs Confraternity of Christian Mothers and co-chaired Share and Care Women's Group for the Widowed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arvil L. Becht; her brothers, William Carl Barr, Garland Barr and Bill R. Barr Jr.; her sisters, Gerry Russell and Rena Hublar; her son-in-law, Joseph Robert Smallwood; and great-grandson Brian Missi.
Survivors include children, Mary Lucille Missi (Donald) , Floyd Knobs, Richard L. Becht (Mary), Floyds Knobs, Phyllis Smallwood, New Albany, Linda Steinbrenner (Horst), New Albany and Sandra Pinnick (Ralph Jr.) , Floyds Knobs; 31 grandchildren; 78 great-grandchildren; and 39 great-great-grandchildren . Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Monday at Kraft Funeral Service, 708 E. Spring St, New Albany. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church with burial in St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Cemetery. A prayer service will be at 4 p.m. Monday at Kraft Funeral Home.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to all of Bea's providers and friends, especially Father Ken Gering and Sister Agnes at Providence Retirement Home.
Donations to: St. Mary of the Knobs Building Fund and Providence Retirement Home.
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